Nov. '15

NOVEMBER 2015

Lionel Trains:

On the Right Track

Memories Become Treasures Nostalgia: Memory is at the Heart

Music:

It’s All in Your Head

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November 2015 3 n

Word on the Street November 2015 Volume 15 n Issue 11 President Pam Tolen

Managing Editor/Art Direction Kim Cassell Advertising Kimberly Brouillette Jason Huddle Contributing Writer Kim Cassell Contributing Photographers Michael A. Anderson Photography cardboardchristmas.com

Cabarrus Magazine is published by: Comfort Publishing Inc. 296 Church Street N. Hidden Plaza Concord, NC 28025 For editorial inquiries, call 704-782-2353 or email them to Kim Cassell at kcassell@ cabarrusmagazine.com. For advertising inquiries, call Jason Huddle at 704-907-7847 or Kimberly Brouillette at 704-305-7599.

Visit us at www.cabarrusmagazine.com.

All rights reserved. ©2015, Comfort Publishing Inc., 296 Church Street N., Concord, NC 28025. Reproduction, in whole or in part, without permission is prohibited. Products named in these pages are trademarks of their respective companies.

The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of Cabarrus Magazine or Comfort Publishing Inc.

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Rachel Fesko

Publisher Jason Huddle

As we near our 15th anniversary in January, it’s only fitting we take a trip down Memory Lane.

When the first issue of Cabarrus Magazine was published, Bill Clinton was enjoying his last few days in the White House, 9/11 was still nine months away and Concord Mills Mall had just opened 14 months before.

Looking back can accomplish several things. It can make us yearn for days gone by, it can take us back to a time when we were with loved ones no longer around, and it can take us back to a childhood where things were simpler and carefree.

I think it can also show us how far we’ve come.

In our infancy, Pillowtex, CT Communications, First Charter Bank and Philip Morris were the corporate giants based in Cabarrus County. Now, they’re all gone – either sold, acquired, moved or bankrupt. In their place now exist companies of the future – like Alevo and Amazon – along with a thriving tourism industry. And a then-relatively unknown coffee company called S&D has grown to become one of the country’s largest coffee and tea suppliers to the food industry.

The nostalgia attached to these changes makes us teary and proud, all at the same time. That’s why we wanted to visit with Lionel Trains, Classic Art Gift Gallery and the NC Music Hall of Fame this month. All three bring back memories at a time of year when remembering hangs thick in the air. So, as we enter the holiday season, let’s reminisce.

Sincerely,

Jason Huddle

This Issue...

Down Memory Lane 6

Nostalgia: Memory is at the Heart

8

Lionel Trains: On the Right Track

13

Breaking Bread: Chef Ferguson Dishes

14

Classic Art Gift Gallery: Memories Become Treasures

19

Give Me Shelter: Cabarrus’ Adoptable Dogs

20

Music: It’s All in Your Head

25

Cabarrus Businesses: On the Go

28

What’s Happening: November Events Calendar

November 2015 5 n

By Kim Cassell

Nostalgia: Memory is at the Heart Close your eyes. Now think back to a time that makes you smile: sights, sounds and smells. My “smilingest” memories revolve around my grandma’s house…homemade chicken soup, a wooden toy piano and racing our cousin Mike’s Matchbox cars in the upstairs hallway.

According to psychotherapy.org, “The feeling of nostalgia is given life by symbols, by an object or a feeling, or something that represents a moment past.

For many, nostalgia is a wonderful feeling, a combination of joy of what once was and a twinge of regret that it is no longer. That is healthy nostalgia.”

Defined as “a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations,” it’s usually a positive, optimistic emotion.

“This optimism is related to two other factors,” Dr. Art Markman, Ph.D., says.

“First, nostalgia makes people feel more socially connected to others. This social connection boosts people’s positive feelings about themselves. That increase in self-esteem then increases feelings of optimism.”

And while that optimism may be temporary, the memories are not. What’s ironic is that nostalgia was originally labeled as a neurological disease. Johannes Hofer, a Swiss medical student in 1688, noted the homesickness experienced by Swiss mercenaries fighting out-of-country.

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Nostalgia is a combination of joy of what once was and a twinge of regret that it is no longer.

“Military physicians attributed this homesickness to ear and brain damage from the constant clanging of cowbells.

Recognized symptoms included pining for Alpine landscapes, fainting, fever and even death,” writes Dr. Neel Burton M.D. By the 19th century, it was considered a type of depression.

Thankfully, nostalgia today is viewed as a means to go beyond the confines of our four walls. True, these emotions are often prompted by loneliness, boredom or sadness, but they also serve to remind us that we each have a personal story that’s firmly planted in time. This, in turn, calls up memories of love and protection, and improves our mood.

“It is a strange thing: a vivid memory from the distant past, haunted by people who have grown up or grown old or are no more, doing things that are no longer done in a world that no longer exists. And yet it all seems so vivid in our minds that we can still picture the glint in their eye or the twitch in the corner of their mouth,” Burton says. “Sometimes we even say

their names under our breath as if that could magically bring them back to us.”

Columbia’s Professor Morris Holbrook says, “We believe that there is a critical period during which we tend to form strong preferences for whatever objects we frequently encounter – say, music, movies, celebrities, clothing styles, automobile designs or whatever. That our attachments to objects of nostalgic significance are determined in our formative years – from childhood to early adulthood – is a worthy observation. As such, these objects suggest a return to the safety of home.”

Sigmund Freud, however, believed that childhood memories are inaccurate, and possibly don’t exist at all. Instead, we create memories of memories, distorting them to produce an ideal past. Feelings are reinterpreted. Psychologists have termed this as Rosy Retrospection.

Individuals try, at all costs, to recreate a nostalgic paradise that’s unattainable and may never have existed at all. This

can lead to chronic worrying, anxiety and depression.

Age may play a role in our retrospection as well. John Tierney, author and science columnist, says, “Research has shown that levels of nostalgia tend to be high among young adults, decline in middle age and rise again during old age, potentially highlighting another function of nostalgia: its ability to help cope with transitions.”

And we don’t want to dwell on the negative. After all, Christmas and Hanukkah are just around the corner and we’ll be thrust into a period of looking back, recalling the holidays spent with family and the memories created.

We may also take things from our past and make them a part of our holidays now and in the future.

Hopefully, many of us still have the objects, recipes and music that take us back to a more innocent time, that we and those who come after us can enjoy for years to come. n

November 2015 7 n

By Kim Cassell

Lionel Trains: On the Right Track Before other modes of transportation took over and today’s trains started hauling stacked cargo containers covered with graffiti, there was a fascination and romance attached to the railroad.

A vintage card from the mid-20th century

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Children craned their necks to see the caboose – often a bright red – knowing it was the last car. They’d put a shiny penny on the tracks in the hopes that a train would flatten it and they’d have a souvenir to take home. And they’d wait for the whistle to blow and the steam to rise at crossings.

Going further back, the fascination with iron horses in the 1800s gave way to the hobby of model railroading. Modelrailwaytrains.com says, “We must recognize model railroading as a reservoir of nostalgia, memories and heritage, (and) also a place of celebration of progress. Thus, many designers like to portray scenes from the past in which they can scale steam locomotives.”

Early European craftsmen often fit tin or lead pieces into wood, but there were no moving parts or track, and no cars; children played with their trains on the floor. And since tin didn’t take paint well, the details were applied to the tin itself.

America eventually got on board at the turn of the 20th century, producing model engines that just about anyone could afford to buy for their children. With the growing popularity came the demand for more: tracks, cars, stations and wagons. "

Thomas the Train and Friends is a highly rated Lionel product.

November 2015 9 n

Joshua Lionel Cohen founded Lionel Trains in this era, manufacturing the electric motors that went into electric trains. Post-World War I saw the company producing realistic, powerful, well-made model trains painted in bright colors. They were a hit, and still are.

In fact, train-sets.toptenreviews.com says Lionel holds four out of the top five slots in the 2015 Best. The Pennsylvania Flyer placed no.1 as the Gold Award winner, with the 2-4-2

Lionel’s retail store gets loud with happy young voices excited about the model train layouts in motion.

LionChief (no. 2), Polar Express (no.

3), and Thomas and Friends (no. 5) rounding out the list.

Besides the trains themselves, today’s model train enthusiasts look to create the biggest and “baddest” layouts ever.

“Men and boys gather today to set up layouts so elaborate and realistic that viewers are enchanted by these trains in action,” o-gauge.com says. “They gather together with their families and friends to rekindle the love of the railroad days and sweet childhood memories.”

For these hobbyists, the reality of Lionel Trains moving its corporate headquarters from New York to Concord is a sweet reward. Having opened its doors in October of 2014 and celebrating its 115th anniversary

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this year, the location serves as Lionel’s first retail store in the state. The rest of the 90,000 square feet is occupied by offices and a warehouse.

Mike Phillips is vice-president of brand marketing for Lionel. “We have been very pleased with store sales and traffic so far. We surpassed our first-year sales projections, and we anticipate that number will grow significantly during the holidays,” he says. “No Christmas tree is complete without a Lionel train running beneath it, so we definitely see an uptick in business during November and December as folks are looking for just the right train for themselves or a loved one.”

While there are plenty of little girls who enjoy model trains, history shows

that boys typically outnumber them.

“Most of our hobbyists started playing with trains as young boys,” Phillips shares. “We find many of these folks tend to build their layouts to mimic their hometown growing up and they have a unique story for most items on the platform. Part of the fun of playing with trains is the flexibility to customize your own world and escape into the magic of your layout.

“For most people, the train sparks memories about a special Christmas morning coming down the stairs and seeing a Lionel train under their tree.

It kicked off their imagination and created a bond between themselves and their dad as they proceeded to add new items to their model train layout.”

As such, it’s obviously a hobby that can be passed down. Utilizing and building upon skills like carpentry, electronics, mechanics and art, a whole scene is built around the train tracks.

“We have seen a change in the industry where both fathers and grandfathers are going out of their way to share their love of trains with their children and grandchildren. Trains provide great hands-on experiences, allowing them to create new memories with their families while designing a new layout or running big engines,” Phillips adds.

“Having a store at our headquarters this year has been a great way for us to interact not only with families who are looking for ready-to-run train sets, but also with long-time collectors who have a ton of knowledge of and

appreciation for the Lionel brand.

Our collectors are very attuned to new products that are arriving, and we already have ‘regulars’ who frequently visit the store to see these items for themselves.”

The long-time collectors know what vintage Lionel trains are going for, too.

As of this writing, a Smithsonian Brass Dreyfus Hudson was listed as a Buy it Now item for $1,500 on ebay.

“With 115 years of products there is a host of items that rise to the top for

collectors,” Phillips says. “Everyone has their own favorite, but one of the most iconic is the Lionel Mickey and Minnie Tinplate handcar. Lionel launched this item in 1934 for $1. The company sold over 250,000 units in the first three months and this was the beginning of what has been a great relationship between Lionel and Disney over the past 85 years.”

This particular car is selling for as much as $800 on ebay.

With collectors seeing dollar signs, "

November 2015 11 n

4th Annual Warehouse Sale Each year, Lionel Trains hosts a warehouse sale. “It is a great chance for the public to come in and see over 20 trains running on our fully-decorated displays and train towers. We have lots of special promotions on products and this also gives consumers the opportunity to learn more about our train club, and speak with our Lionel featured artist, Angela Trotta Thomas,” Lionel’s Mike Phillips explains.

with hundreds of dealers set up to sell. Appraisers are on hand if you’re thinking of selling one of your own trains and free workshops are held for all levels of hobbyists.

Phillips hopes train enthusiasts will share photos of their layouts and

Event Dates and Hours: Friday, November 6, 6:30-8:30pm, Club Night Only: Must be a member of one of the following clubs: RCCA or LCCA Saturday, November 7, 9:00am-4:00pm: Open to the Public Sunday, November 8, 11:00am-3:00pm: Open to the Public Location: Lionel L.L.C. Corporate Office (warehouse in back) 6301 Performance Drive Concord, NC 28027 This year’s Warehouse Sale will feature: • Great prices on a large selection of Lionel products, including a few door busters • Limited offerings of select shop-worn and refurbished products • Two large operating train layouts • Lenny the Lion: the Lionel mascot • Lionel LCS product demos on our custom layouts built by TW Design • Representatives from the LCCA (Lionel Collectors Club of America)

Lionel hobbyists see the fun. And with the holidays approaching, there are bound to be some favorites.

“Our line of ready-to-run train sets is the top seller as we move into the holiday season. These sets provide consumers everything they need to set up their train under the Christmas tree or on a layout,” Phillips says. “Our Polar Express train set in O-Gauge

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or G-Gauge is the most sought after product for the holiday season.”

For those folks who would like to see what the rest of America has or is selling in the way of model trains, the closest the Great Train Show comes to Cabarrus County is Knoxville, TN next March. This traveling expo is a model train lover’s paradise, showcasing a variety of layouts in all scales, and

1934: A Lionel #8 Standard Gauge boxcab engine – Lionel’s smallest Standard Gauge engine of the period – pulls a string of #332, #337 and #338 passenger cars.

stories about how they came about.

They can be shared on Lionel’s website at http://tracks.lionel.com/.

“We have collectors all over the United States who have dedicated their dining room, bedrooms or basements to their train layouts. The amount of detail, the type of trains and the setting for each is so unique.”

Companies like Lionel – as well as the young and the young at heart – have perpetuated model trains’ popularity, even in today’s high-tech world. It’s all about back to basics. n

Breaking Bread cabarrus magazine is happy to feature personal CHEF CAMILLA FERGUSON. she WILL BE BRINGING ONE OF HER OWN RECIPES TO CABARRUS MAGAZINE READERS EACH MONTH, so Bon Appetit!

Traditional Chili INGREDIENTS 1 lb. ground chuck 1 lb. ground pork 1 large onion, diced 2 cans diced tomatoes with green chilis 4 cans Chili Magic beans: medium spice (mild or hot are also available) 2-4 tablespoons Cuisine by Cami Traditional Chili Spice Blend (available at www.cuisinebycami.com) DIRECTIONS In a large Dutch oven, sauté the onion until tender and translucent. Add in the chuck and pork and break up into small pieces; cook until crumbly and browned.

Only drain if it’s super fatty. Add the diced tomatoes, beans and CbC Chili Spice Blend. Bring to a low boil and cover, stirring frequently; cook about 30 minutes.

Remove the lid and reduce the heat to low or simmer and let cook three to four hours. Definitely stir frequently, as chili will stick. And keep uncovered so it will thicken. Top with grated cheese, sour cream, crackers and Jalapeno peppers.

Cami Ferguson has a passion for food that was developed at an early age.

As a child, she watched her grandmother make homemade Italian specialties as well as her dad cooking “Southern soul food.” Between the two, she learned a lot about different culinary styles. Her horizons were further broadened and tweaked by her exposure to a large variety of global cuisines during her extensive travels. She has turned all of those experiences into one joyous profession.

As a personal chef, Ferguson performs a variety of services for individuals, couples, families and small groups. She encourages everyone to enjoy quality time over intimate dinners with family or friends without the stress of planning, shopping, preparing, pick-up or cleanup, and can design menus – from basic to elegant – to satisfy many individual tastes, needs and budgets.

Chef Ferguson can be reached at 704-330-9321, CamillaFerguson@ gmail.com or at her website: www.CuisineByCami.com. n

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By Kim Cassell

Memories Become Treasures The teddy bear. It’s almost a rite of passage for a child to grow up with one. From taking it to bed for comfort when darkness takes hold, to toting it to daycare, it’s a friendly, soothing companion.

Toy bears may have been made by hand for children before the turn of the 20th century, but the name Teddy came by way of President Theodore Roosevelt. On a hunting trip in Mississippi in 1902 that had thus far been unsuccessful, Roosevelt refused to shoot a defenseless bear that had been tracked and wounded and tied to a tree by guides. He, instead, ordered the injured bear be put down.

Garnering attention throughout the U.S., the incident became a political cartoon by Clifford Berryman and was printed in the Washington Post. When Morris Michtom, a Brooklyn, NY candy shop owner saw the cartoon, he asked his wife Rose to make two fabric stuffed bears for display in the front window. He also asked President Roosevelt for permission in calling them “Teddy’s bears.”

Another very similar version of the bear was being manufactured in Germany by seamstress Margarete Steiff in her family’s factory. Modeled after drawings done by her nephew Richard, Steiff designed the toy bear to have a friendly look. It was covered in brown mohair, stuffed with excelsior (packing material consisting of wood shavings) and had hinged joints. The bear’s moveable head, arms and legs allowed it to be put in a sitting or standing position. Shoe-button eyes, an embroidered nose, cloth soles and felt claws completed the toy.

Shown at a German toy fair in 1903, the Steiff bears were spotted by an American toy buyer. He ordered 3,000 and the worldwide teddy bear craze began.

These bears – now worth tens of thousands of dollars – are treasured by collectors, if they can find them.

Today, one of the most loved and collected bear lines is Boyds Bears. Founded in 1984 by Boyds, MD antique shop owners Gary and Tina Lowenthal, they initially sold antique reproductions. After coming upon a Chinese line of 100 percent Merino (breed of sheep) wool bears, Lowenthal designed one of his own – 12 "

Joe Panko, owner of Classic Art Gift Gallery, has items that will bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Opposite: A regal six-foot Santa watches over Boyds Bears.

November 2015 15 n

A Charitable Side In 1989, Joe Panko was a passenger aboard USAir Flight 5050, which would take him from New York’s LaGuardia Airport to Charlotte-Douglas.

The Boeing 737 never left the ground, however. Pilot error and poor weather conditions saw the plane run off the end of the runway and crash into the East River.

Sustaining serious head and back injuries, Panko dealt with years of physical therapy as well as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD). Charitable giving became his method of keeping busy and dealing with his disabilities.

Thus, non-profits are welcome to come into Classic Art Gift Gallery to meet with Panko and decide what items in his shop might be appropriate for their particular auction or fundraising event. The items are sold to the charity at Panko’s cost, the charity keeps the profits and unsold items may be returned to Classic Art. As of October 1, more than $125,000 had been made nationally for non-profits this year. Classic Art also offers coupons, donating 10 percent of items purchased in the store to the charity.

Plus, the Pankos donate more than 4,000 toys and books yearly, putting smiles on the faces of children and seniors. “We like to provide toys throughout the year, for, if you are a sick child in July, all you get are shots and medicine,“ Joe says, adding, “We couldn’t begin to do all of this without our friends Trevor Cohen and Gary Polen from Giftcraft in Canada.“ Classic Art will have a shop (#10) at the Southern Christmas Show again this year. Held from November 11-22 at the Park Expo and Conference Center, shoppers can browse through many of the items that make great holiday gifts. Based on Panko’s injuries and his time spent in wheelchairs, he enjoys the giving of Christmas by offering a small gift to those in wheelchairs when they stop in at the shop.

If you suffer from PTSD, Panko is available to listen, understand and possibly offer help in healing. Feel free to call him at his store: 704-782-7703.

inches tall with moveable joints – and named it Matthew, after his infant son.

With its company moved to Gettysburg, PA, the 1990s saw Boyd resin collections of bears, other animals, santas, Faeriesprites, treasure boxes, etc. In 2008, giftware company Enesco bought the rights to Boyds,

maintaining Boyds craftspeople that created limited edition items.

According to beaconsglow.com, “All of these pieces are truly sought after by Boyds Bears collectors. Once a certain number of cold-cast resin figurines are poured, the mold is never used again and is destroyed.”

If you have any of these pieces, you might want to hold on to them. Boyds Bears were put into hibernation by Enesco at the end of last year; they are no longer produced.

A great place to find these collections, as well as sports memorabilia, dolls, and characters from Walt Disney, The Wizard of Oz and Winnie the Pooh – basically anything that conjures up thoughts of childhood – is at Classic Art Gift Gallery in Concord. Owners Joe and Susan Panko have surrounded themselves with an inventory that boggles the mind and fills the senses.

Referring to how nostalgia plays into a purchase, Joe Panko says, “Folks play on fond memories of gifts from their family. The men remember and obtain things that remind them of their past. As they’ve gotten older, they’ve acquired a professional team… football, baseball. And most everyone remembers the games they played such as Candy Land, Monopoly and Dominos.”

Panko has a few of his own memories, too. “I remember one Christmas when I got three wonderful toys and none of them worked…no batteries. I got a plane that you put fuel in then start the propeller. It flew around twice and caught on fire. I got a pair of roller skates that fasten to your tennis shoes. I fell three times and thought my parents were trying to kill me.

“My favorite is, I got a ping-pong set…paddles and balls but no table.

I went to the Beardsleys’ house for Christmas dinner with some 15 people,

Get the Word Out! Contact Kimberly Brouillette for advertising opportunities.

704-782-2353

Support our advertisers and you support Cabarrus Magazine!

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Sports memorabilia is most popular with the men who visit the shop.

and after dinner they cleared the table and, lo and behold, it was my pingpong table.”

So Panko understands the personal importance of finding that soughtafter piece. “There are still many men that know their wives collect certain items. Donna – with her 6’5” tall husband Jerry – comes in with her list of ‘I need these’ items. Jerry walks out

pleased that the items have been found and Donna’s happy to get what she wanted.”

Local shoppers aren’t the only ones with a wish list, either. “We get calls from all over the country asking if we have such-and-such a bear item – plush or resin – ‘because my husband broke it and he’s not allowed to sleep in the house until he finds one.’ It’s very

rewarding if you find a replacement for a gift that was lost or broken from their younger days.”

At holiday time, Panko says favorites include angels and Jim Shore resin sculptures. Throughout the year, Disney, Gone with the Wind, Wizard of Oz, and Charles Schultz’s Peanuts characters are crowd pleasers.

Not surprising, with technology "

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November 2015 17 n

has come a change in gift-giving trends.

“Children today are split: 75 percent electronic and 25 percent other gifts,” Panko explains. “Friends who have children say, ‘Johnny wants something electronic.’ After they get their electronic gift, they get very excited about a piece of sports memorabilia.

However, the girls love getting a soft friend for their collection. We’re more and more filling needs for nonelectronic gifts.

“People feel that their children aren’t interested in their Hummels. However, if the parent has collected something neat like baseball cards, auto memorabilia and Coca-Cola, then the younger folks seem to enjoy acquiring it. And add to it.”

And while shoppers in the 1990s collected Boyds Bears, sports collectibles and Beanie Babies, “Today, the stuff that has stood the test of time are Boyds Bears, Beanie Babies, Cabbage Patch Kids and Coca-Cola items,” Panko says. “The most popular in our store today are still Boyds Bears and Jim Shore items…and when the Panthers are winning, Panthers memorabilia.

“When you look at the commodities of items that have been collected over the years – the gift area – Hummels and Cabbage Patch Kids are more valuable; however, any Disney item is appreciated. In the sports arena, the most phenomenal increase in value are the baseball cards of the 1950s…low production and many destroyed offers a minimum of $200 for most any card in good condition. Items from the 1950s and ‘60s that are still in the box have become very expensive.”

Regardless of what’s popular in 2015 or may increase in value over the years, what seems to strike a cord are the items that evoke memories of loved ones, and days that we didn’t realize were so simple until they were gone.

But a visit to see Joe at Classic Art Gift Gallery could certainly make for a trip back down Memory Lane. n 18 Cabarrus Magazine n

Give Me Shelter THERE ARE SEVERAL ANIMAL RESCUES IN CABARRUS COUNTY, USUALLY PAST CAPACITY, FILLED WITH ADOPTABLE DOGS, CATS AND MORE!

The saying goes, “People that say money can’t buy you happiness have never paid an adoption fee.” These are the faces of the abandoned, neglected and abused, and they’re looking for that second chance. If you’re looking for a furry family member, please consider pet adoption.

Tarantino, weighing 55 pounds, is a nice-looking and good-natured two-year-old Boxer mix. This boy loves to play and will make a great family pet. Like most medium to large dogs, Tarantino would benefit from a fenced-in yard for added exercise and to play with his family. He’s neutered, microchipped and up-to-date on all his vaccines. Come visit him at Ruth’s Memorial Shelter today!

Humane Society of Concord & Greater Cabarrus County Ruth’s Memorial Shelter 2010 Wilshire Court, Concord 704-784-7387 cabarrushumanesociety@gmail.com • www.cabarrushumanesociety.org

Reeses is a Chihuahua mix, about three years old. Originally a stray, her owner was found but never came for her at Animal Control. Reeses was then adopted, but due to unforeseen circumstances and through no fault of her own, her adopter had to return her.

Reeses is a very sweet girl and loves to cuddle with you. She deserves a forever home, one where she can be spoiled and loved. Reeses is housetrained, vaccinated, spayed and microchipped.

HS Cabarrus Animal Rescue 590 Crestmont Drive, Concord 704-701-5441 cabarrusanimalrescue@all2easy.net www.cabarrusanimalrescue.org

November 2015 19 n

By Kim Cassell

Music: It’s All in Your Head Imagine life without music. Difficult to fathom, isn’t it? Music that we grew up listening to, especially, can actually alter our mood when we hear it played. And it’s pretty scientific.

Eddie Ray, a former record company executive, has come home to North Carolina to operate the NCMHOF.

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Not to get overly technical, but the brain’s pleasure center – the nucleus accumbens – becomes awakened during activities like eating, sex, gambling... and hearing music. In synchronization with various cortexes in the brain that come alive when we recognize a song, sing or dance to it, or listen intently to the words, dopamine courses through our brains and we feel exhilarated, nostalgic, emotional…rewarded.

“Depending on what styles you’re used to – Eastern, jazz, heavy metal, pop – all of these have very different rules they follow, and they’re all implicitly recorded in your brain,” Valorie Salimpoor, PhD, says. “Whether you realize it or not, every time you’re listening to music, you’re constantly activating these templates that you have.”

These musical templates come into play when we hear a familiar song from, say, our high school years. The music conjures up memories of periods of time in our lives and, more specifically, events and people.

Eddie Ray agrees. He’s vice-chairman of the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame (NCMHOF) and operation director of its Hall of Fame Museum. Referring to individual musical preferences, he says, “I think it’s what they were accustomed to hearing at an early age. I came from the Smoky Mountains and the only stations we could get in those days were from Nashville, Charlotte and Atlanta.

Most of the music we heard on the radio was country music, bluegrass, and "

Doc Watson is one of 50-plus North Carolina musicians inducted into the NCMHOF thus far.

Dr. Paul Barrier on Snowball with Mary Bangle Barrier on the porch of their Mt. Pleasant home.

After the doctor’s death, Mary had Snowball put down, and she buried him and the doctor’s medical equipment in the back yard.

November 2015 21 n

we‘d pick up big band. I can’t imagine living without music. The motions and emotions – there’s something that you listen to in a song and it brings such memories.”

Located on Dale Earnhardt Boulevard in Kannapolis, the hall houses personal effects of North Carolina’s musical best – inductees that are now forever part of the museum. But how did Ray, a Franklin, NC native, end up here and doing this?

Ray’s extensive musical background (he’s 88 years young) has seen him rise from a stock boy at Milwaukee’s Decca Records Distributing Company in 1945 and assistant shipping clerk for California’s Aladdin Records in 1946, to artists and repertoire (A&R) director of Capitol Records’ Tower Records in 1964, then their senior vice-president of A&R administration.

“Before I went to California, I had never heard blues. Occasionally, we’d hear Bessie Smith, but I’d never heard the Delta (blues) music out of

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Mississippi or R&B through North Carolina,” Ray explains. “People would say, ‘How do you know so much about the Smoky Mountain Boys?’ But what I found, and I think it would be true with anybody, if you take the time to listen to different types of music, you’ll learn to appreciate it.”

Over the years, Ray promoted or signed artists like Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Freddie & The Dreamers, even Pink Floyd. While at Capitol Records, he met Mike Curb, a young independent music producer, before moving on to other music career pursuits. He eventually relocated to Memphis as part owner of Sounds of Memphis Recording Studio and Record Production Company (SOM).

“When I became exposed to music in Memphis, I learned to appreciate the Delta. Elvis (Presley) grew up in the black community in Mississippi and he covered black artists’ songs. To me, his versions of records were even better than the originals,” Ray says.

Left: A plaque represents each hall of famer’s induction into the NCMHOF; Right: Each inductee’s hometown is plotted on a North Carolina map.

Memphis didn’t remain Ray’s home, however. He was, ironically, called back home to North Carolina by his friend Mike Curb. Curb is definitely the epitome of entrepreneurism: songwriter, politician, NASCAR car owner and sponsor, philanthropist…

“He called me in 2008 and said, ‘Why isn’t there a North Carolina Music Hall of Fame?’ We did some research and found out a museum had been started in 1994 in Thomasville,” Ray shares.

The Thomasville endeavor, however, lacked a place to physically house the nine original inductees. So Curb approached his longtime friend, David Murdock, and negotiated leasing the old Kannapolis Jail and Police Department building on West A Street.

Renovations took seven months and the NCMHOF opened in 2009.

“When I came back to North Carolina after 70 years, I had no idea there were so many great artists from here,” Ray says. “Some states are known for certain types of music. Here, we have bluegrass, country, Southern blues, gospel, Southern rock. North Carolina never promoted this music.

But I don’t understand why most of the artists left North Carolina. Some of the greatest jazz artists left North Carolina.”

The Hall of Fame inductees are chosen from a list of 100 to 150 potentials. All must be North Carolina natives. “We go way, way back to the ‘30s and late ‘20s. And each year, in January, I present a list of potential inductees to the Nominating Committee,” Ray explains “We choose seven to eight inductees each year. We make an attempt to

have a representative from the various genres in music. One of the musts is it has to be 10 years since the artist achieved national success. We consider representatives, songwriters, broadcasters and educators, but most are musicians.”

Both Ray and Curb were inducted into the NCMHOF in 2009 – Ray for his lifetime achievement in the nonperformer category and Curb for his contribution and support of the Hall of Fame.

Visitors to the museum walk among exhibits containing each inductee’s personal items. “We get all the exhibits from the inductees, and it’s getting more difficult because they’re getting very valuable. Maybe at some stage in their life they want to sell. So what we do is ask for items for a limited time. Most of them give them to us "

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2015 Inductees The 2015 Induction Ceremony for the NC Music Hall of Fame took place on October 15 at the Gem Theatre in Kannapolis. Inductees were: • Gerald Alston, Henderson, NC: Lead singer of the R&B/pop group, The Manhattans • The Rev. F.C. Barnes, Rocky Mount, NC: Gospel singer/songwriter • Nappy Brown, Charlotte, NC: Blues/R&B singer from the 1940s-‘50s • Eric Church, Granite Falls, NC: Country rock musician and singer • The Fantastic Shakers, Lincolnton, NC: pioneer Carolina beach music band • Warren Haynes, Asheville, NC: Southern rock guitarist/singer with The Allman Bros. Band and Gov’t Mule • Chuck Jackson, Winston-Salem, NC: R&B/pop singer • Jay Spell, Spivey Corners, NC: Musician and arranger

permanently. If it was left up to the office, we’d get them, but the agents and managers make the decision,” Ray says.

And even though the Hall of Fame

was opened during tough economic times and grants were about nil, plans were made to give the hall space for expansion and more visibility. Reenter, Mike Curb. As owner of the

Curb Museum for Motorsports, Ray approached him about sharing some of his space with the NCMHOF. Now with square footage about five times larger than the old location, the museum already has more Eric Church than 50 exhibits compared to no more than 25 at the West A Street address. Interactive displays have been added, and a large map of North Carolina plots where each NCMHOF inductee was born.

There are also touch screens and a television airing musical performances.

Admission to the NCMHOF is free, and hours and additional information are available at northcarolinamusichalloffame.org.

Says Ray, “Hundreds of kids visit each week as well as adults. It’s been a challenging labor of love.” n

Cabarrus Magazine would like to thank its digital sponsors! | Prominent position on homepage | Categorized business website listing | Logo placement with hotlink on every page of website | Company profile page To find out more about all of our great print and digital marketing opportunities, please call us at 704-782-2353.

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On the Go

Town of Harrisburg Offers Façade & Site Improvement Matching Grants The Town of Harrisburg is offering matching grants to businesses located on the NC Highway 49 corridor between Morehead and Roberta roads for façade and site improvements. Applications are due by 5:00pm on January 31, 2016.

Businesses of any size are eligible. Qualified applicants may receive up to 50 percent off project costs – up to $20,000 – depending on the scope of the project. Applicants are required to complete and pay for the total project prior to receiving grant reimbursement. Home-based businesses and new construction projects are not eligible.

“The town’s recent market analysis report suggests that we maximize existing assets and infrastructure,” says Harrisburg Economic Development Director Anna Lu Wilson. “One way to begin the process is to encourage and assist property and business owners located along the Highway 49 corridor to improve the appearance of the façades of their buildings, their landscaping and other site improvements.”

All real property taxes must be paid in full, and the applicants must be current on their water and sewer account and any Town fees. Any identified code violations must be addressed and resolved prior to payment of grant funds.

For a complete list of eligible improvements and a detailed description of the application process, visit www.harrisburgnc.org and click on the link under Recent News.

The grant program is subject to funding availability and guidelines may be updated as necessary. Approved projects should be completed within 90 days or funds may not be guaranteed. For more information, contact Harrisburg Planning & Zoning at 704-455-0708 or wkrimminger@harrisburgnc.org.

Concord LongHorn Steakhouse® Receives National Recognition Jack Vanston, managing partner of the LongHorn Steakhouse located at 351 Copperfield Boulevard in Concord, has accepted the company’s Team Excellence Award on behalf of his restaurant team.

Presented annually, this award recognizes superior teamwork and an ongoing commitment to an excellent guest experience. The Concord LongHorn Steakhouse is one of seven restaurants selected from the more than 480 locations to receive the award this year.

The Concord restaurant was recognized for a variety of factors, including overall guest satisfaction and team leadership.

“Jack and his team always go above and beyond to ensure every day is a success, for both team members and guests,” says Shane Brooks, senior vice-president of LongHorn Steakhouse. “Together, they play a key role in creating an atmosphere where the Concord community can count on receiving friendly service and an unforgettable meal in a warm and inviting atmosphere.” "

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Heirloom Edition of The Hidden Treasure of Dutch Buffalo Creek Released Local author Vincent James, writing as Jackson Badgenoone, has released the heirloom edition of The Hidden Treasure of Dutch Buffalo Creek.

The central character, believing that he sees gold, recovers instead an old bayonet buried under the shimmering waters of Dutch Buffalo Creek in present-day Cabarrus County. The bayonet is a catalyst that drives him to sift through a lifetime of artifacts and bittersweet memories – and imagine a glimpse of the future.

The book explores the cause and consequence of conflict. Faith, hope and love emerge as forces that overcome challenges encountered by a tightly knit clan. The heirloom edition introduces notes and diaries; nostalgiarich memories amplify character point of view. They invite readers to consider the nostalgia woven into the fabric of their life stories.

The heirloom edition of the novel can be purchased directly from the publisher, FriesenPress: http://tinyurl. com/HToDBCHeirloom. The original work, published in July, is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

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Two New Staff Members Join Tourism Team at Cabarrus County CVB The Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) announces that Kristen Cranford has been named marketing coordinator, and welcomes Amber Furr as visitor services manager.

Marketing coordinator is a new position added to support the marketing efforts of the CVB team. With experience in customer service and marketing, Cranford most recently served as production/account manager for Concord-based Walker Marketing Inc. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and minored in communications/public relations.

Prior to joining the Bureau’s team, Amber Furr held positions in human resources and customer service at Bass Pro Shops in Concord where she founded and Kristen Cranford coordinated the Outdoor Kids Club program. She is currently pursuing an Associate’s degree from Central Piedmont Community College. In her role as visitor services manager, Furr will oversee operations of the Cabarrus County Visitor Center and manage off-site event logistics to represent Cabarrus County at many local and regional events.

“Driving visitation through an enhanced experience is our ultimate goal” says Donna Carpenter, president and CEO of the Cabarrus County CVB. “Kristen and Amber each possess exceptional skills that will help the Bureau engage with visitors in the destination and in other Amber Furr markets.”

Moose Releases His Third Collection of Classic Jokes Frank Moose, 84 and a Cabarrus County resident, published his first book in early 2014. Due to its success and requests for more, he produced his second book six months later. Now Volume III of A Collection of Classic Jokes & Funny Sayings is available for purchase.

At $15 each, the books can be found at Angela’s, Phidippides, Union Street Bistro and the Wayside Family Restaurant on Branchview. Moose can be contacted for more information at 704-701-3468 or hoycomoose2@gmail.com. n

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What’s Happening ADVANCE DIRECTIVES WORKSHOP November 1 • 3:00-5:00pm McGill Baptist Church 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord • Conducted by Carolinas Healthcare System, those attending this free workshop will be able to complete a living will or healthcare power of attorney and have it notarized at no charge during the workshop.

• Hosted by McGill Baptist and Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County • Call 704-788-1180 with questions.

MUNICIPAL ELECTION November 3 Polling Places open 6:30am to 7:30pm • Cabarrus County Board of Elections: 704-920-2860; elections@cabarruscounty.us Piedmont Farmers Market November 3, 10, 17, 24 • 8:00am 518 Winecoff School Road, Concord • Open year-round. Fresh local produce, honey, free-range eggs, antibiotic- and hormone-free beef, chicken and pork • 704-425-5559; www.piedmont-farmersmarket.com

Bad Boy Buggies World of Outlaws World Finals November 5-7 Charlotte Motor Speedway 5555 Concord Parkway S., Concord • The World Finals features the stars of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and the big-block modifieds.

• 704-455-3200; 1-800-455-3267; www.charlottemotorspeedway.com Vanishing of the Bees at Davis Theatre November 5 • 6:30pm Davis Theatre 65 Union Street S., Concord • This documentary discusses the worldwide disappearance of the honeybee and its impact on our agricultural landscape. Brought to you by the Concord Wildlife Alliance.

• 704-920-2753; free; no reservations are required.

5 Alarm 5K November 7 • 9:30-11:00am • The City of Concord Parks & Recreation Department host a 5K & Fun Run through Downtown Concord.

• 704-920-5600 Chamber Business After Hours November 10 • 5:30-7:00pm ACN 1000 Progress Place, Concord • Members are FREE; non-members are welcome three times per year: first visit is free, second and third visits are $10.

• Chemin Duffey: 704-260-8110; coordinator@cabarrus.biz

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JOYFUL HEARTS BUNCO NIGHT November 13 • 5:30pm • $20 each Covenant Church of Harrisburg 6900 Hickory Ridge Road, Harrisburg • Dinner, door prizes, raffles and Bunco!

• All proceeds benefit Joyful Hearts events/activities and JoyProm.

• RSVP by November 11 to Sherry Peele at speele@joyfulheartsnc.org or call 704-699-7761.

Kannapolis Arts Showcase November 13 • 7:00-9:00pm Sunshine’s Asian Cuisine 215 West A Street, Kannapolis • Artists are invited to come out with two to three pieces of their work. Share and discuss your work with other local artists. Please be ready by 7:00pm.

• mknox@modernfilminc.com; www.kannapolisarts.com 2nd Saturday Open Studios at ClearWater Artist Studios November 14 • 10:00am-4:00pm 223 Crowell Drive N.W., Concord • Free; music, refreshments, working artists and open studio. Come immerse yourself in our creative space!

• 704-784-9535; clearwaterartists.com KANNAPOLIS CRUISE-IN November 14 • 3:30-9:30pm Downtown Kannapolis • This family-fun classic car show is free to the public.

• 704-920-4343; www.downtownkannapolis.org

State of the Region: Education Summit November 18 Networking: 7:45am; Program: 8:00am Davis Theatre 65 Union St S., Concord • A successful educational system is a key driver to a successful economy.

Conversation for the Education Summit will address private and public education systems, the need for a qualified workforce and creating careers in sustainable industries.

• Chemin Duffey: 704-260-8110; coordinator@cabarrus.biz CABARRUS CHRISTIAN Women’s Connection November 19 • 9:30am • $15 Cabarrus Country Club 3247 Weddington Road, Concord • Harvest Bake & Craft Sale: R. Giles Moss Auction & Real Estate to auction off gift baskets, baked goods and crafts prepared by the women of CCWC • Beyond A Cinderella Story – From Make Believe To Reality. Guest speaker: Rebecca Womble from Buies Creek, NC. She will show that life can be “joyfully ever after.”

• Accepting food donations for Cooperative Christian Ministry • Brunch Music: Martha Campbell • Complimentary nursery • For reservations (Nov. 16 deadline) and information, contact Barbara at 704-786-2722 or barb1960@ windstream.net.

Sponsored by the Cabarrus Christian Women’s Connection, an affiliate of Stonecroft Ministries Art Walk November 20 • 6:00-9:00pm Historic downtown Concord • Galleries and shops display visual art and host artists’ demonstrations. There are often interactive displays, live music and refreshments!

• 704-920-2787; www.cabarrusartscouncil.org

Concord Christmas Tree Lighting and Fireworks November 20 • 6:00pm Historic downtown Concord • Music, children’s amusements, horse-drawn wagon rides and trolley rides, and of course Santa Claus! The event is highlighted by a fireworks display.

• www.concordnc.gov Eggnog Jog 5k November 20 • 4:00-8:00pm Charlotte Motor Speedway 5555 Concord Parkway S., Concord • This is a non-timed fun run that does NOT require you to chug eggnog, we just thought it was fun to say! You can run...

• 704-455-3200; www.charlottemotorspeedway.com OASIS SHRINE CIRCUS November 20-21 Cabarrus Arena & Events Center 4751 NC Highway 49, Concord • $5 parking • 704-920-3976 87th annual Concord Christmas Parade November 21 • 2:30-5:30pm Historic downtown Concord • One of the oldest and largest Christmas parades in the Carolinas • www.cabarrusevents.org

Downtown Kannapolis Presents The Holiday Farmer’s Market November 27-28 • 10:00am-5:00pm Old Cabarrus Bank Building 201 West Avenue, Kannapolis • Unique hand-crafted gifts, cakes, candles, cookies, canned goods, jewelry, jackets, jingle bells, great photo-op with Santa and Mrs. Claus • 704-932-3808; www.downtownkannapolis.org Kannapolis Annual Tree Lighting November 28 • 6:00-9:00pm Village Park 700 West C St., Kannapolis • The lighting of the community Christmas tree will kick off the Celebration of Lights.

• The Winterland Express will be running after the fireworks launch.

• Music and special guests • 704-920-4343; www.kannapolischristmas.com SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY November 28 • All Day Historic Downtown Concord • Make a purchase at any participating business and enter into a drawing for $100 in Downtown Concord Dollars to be spent in participating businesses.

• 704-784-4208; www.concorddowntown.com

Speedway Christmas November 21-December 24 5:30-11:00pm Charlotte Motor Speedway 555 Concord Parkway S., Concord • In its fifth year, Speedway Christmas has a completely redesigned route of 3.1 miles, more than 3 million highefficiency LED lights in 800 displays and a drive-the-track experience that always delights visitors.

• 704-455-3200; www.charlottemotorspeedway.com

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At a Glance Automotive Sales Ben Mynatt Family of Dealerships Page 11 281-289 Concord Parkway S., Concord, NC 28027 (704) 786-2151 (Cadillac) • (704) 788-2121 (GMC) www.benmynatt.com

Automotive Spas/Maintenance Splash Auto Spa/Certec Automotive 2215 Roxie Street, Kannapolis, NC 28083 704-795-2426 • 800-264-6823 www.splashautospa.net www.certecautomotive.com

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Banking Services Uwharrie Bank Page 3 25 Palaside Drive N.E., Concord, NC 28025 704-262-3855 • 704-262-3910 (f)

Events/Entertainment

Hospitals

Carolina Renaissance Festival Page 22 16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville, NC 28078 704-896-5544 • 877-896-5544 toll-free www.renfestinfo.com

Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast Page 32 920 Church Street N., Concord, NC 28025 704-783-1275 • 800-575-1275 toll-free www.cme-northeast.org www.carolinashealthcare.org

Financial/Lending Institutions Southern Select Community Credit Union Page 12 169 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., Kannapolis, NC 28081 704-734-2300 275 Branchview Drive S.E., Concord, NC 28025 704-795-0088 www.SouthernselectCCU.com

Funeral Homes

700 Church Street N., Concord, NC 28025 704-262-3855 • 704-262-9866 (f)

Hartsell Funeral Homes Page 16 460 Branchview Dr. N.E., Concord, NC 28025 704-786-1161

1490 South Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, NC 28124 704-436-2300 • 704-436-8338 (f) www.uwharrie.com

13575 Broadway Avenue, Midland, NC 28107 704-888-5571

Book Publishers Comfort Publishing Page 31 296 Church Street N., Concord, NC 28025 704-782-2353 www.comfortpublishing.com

Churches New Hope Worship Center Page 18 452 Brookwood Ave.N.E., Concord, NC 28025 704-786-0155 www.newhopewc.org

Cleaning Services – Office Blue-J 51 Union Street S., Concord, NC 28025 704-589-3148 www.bluejsmallofficecleaning.com

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Danélle Clothing Warehouse Page 2 570 Concord Parkway N., Concord, NC 28027 704-787-9066 www.danellescrubs.com

Dentists

Tzioros Family Dentistry 1704 Harris-Houston Road, Suite 3 Charlotte, NC 28262 704-548-0870 www.tziorosdentistry.com

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Wilkinson Funeral Home Page 23 100 Branchview Drive N.E., Concord, NC 28025 704-786-3168 www.wilkinsonfuneralhome.com

Furniture Stores Kimbrell’s Furniture 384 Church Street N., NC 28025 704-782-3174 www.kimbrells.com

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General Surgeons The Piedmont Surgical Clinic, PA Page 3 431 Copperfield Boulevard, Concord, NC 28025 704-786-1104 www.piedmontsurgical.com

Clothing/Workwear

Ferguson & Associates, DDS 244 LePhillip Court, Concord, NC 28025 704-786-8317 www.fergusondentistry.net

522 N. Second Street, Albemarle, NC 28001 704-983-1188 www.hartsellfh.com

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Health/Fitness Cannon Memorial YMCA Page 24 Harrisburg Branch 4100 Main Street, Ste. 200, Harrisburg, NC 28075 704-454-7800 Kannapolis Branch 101 YMCA Drive, Kannapolis, NC 28081 704-939-9622 West Cabarrus Branch 5325 Langford Avenue, Concord, NC 28027 704-795-9622 www.cannonymca.org

Medical Research Cheatham Nutrition & Cognition Lab 500 Laureate Way, Room 1102 Kannapolis, NC 28081 www.cheathamlab.com

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Pharmacies Harrisburg Hometown Pharmacy Page 18 5006 Highway 49 S., Harrisburg, NC 28075 704-454-RX4U (7948) www.harrisburgpharmacy.com

Photographers Michael A. Anderson Photography 38 Union Street S., Concord, NC 28025 704-701-5908 mike@michael-a-anderson.com www.michael-a-anderson.com

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Print & Technology Services Modern Impressions Page 22 5029 West W.T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269 800-840-2554 www.modernimpressions.com

Professional Sports Kannapolis Intimidators P.O. Box 64, Kannapolis, NC 28082 704-932-3267 www.intimidatorsbaseball.com

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Real Estate Agents Bryan Kalentek 704-232-5615 bryan@brokerbryan.com www.brokerbryan.com

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Restaurants Pier 51 Page 26 744 Cabarrus Avenue, Concord, NC 28027 704-787-9377

Testing & Research Spectrum Discovery Center 222 Oak Avenue, Kannapolis, NC 28081 704-250-1200 www.spectrumdiscoverycenter.com

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Theatres – Live Old Courthouse Theatre 49 Spring Street N.W., Concord, NC 28025 704-788-2405 www.oldcourthousetheatre.org n

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